The bike will not start unless I spray starter fluid in it. Then it runs until the starter fluid burns out.
Next step I checked the fuel lines and the fuel lines are good and filter is good. Fuel is flowing perfectly into the carbs. I have no experience with carbs really.
So I Said what if i forced fuel into the carbs somehow like a fuel pump. I took my gas line from my boat which has a primer bumb inline. I pumped the fuel till it leaked out the carbs. I can then start the bike right up and it runs perfect until the fuel runs out of the carbs. Meaning I have to prime the bumb again to get it started or continue priming the bumb to keep it running.
I feel like its not sucking in gas. Which I beileve its suppose to.

Like I said I dont know carbs much but it runs fine when I force fuel into the carbs. But then doesnt continue sucking in gas. My guess was something do to with the float bowl

 

Its obvously not getting any fuel. Take something like a wood hammer handle and give the bowl a few careful whacks and try starting it. How long has it been since the last time it has been started?

 

it was started a week ago. Yes i know its not getting fuel at all thats the problem. IS there a mechanism that sucks in fuel like a fuel pump. My outboard has a fuel pump. I dont see any fuel pump on the carb or near it. Im assuming it just sucks fuel into the bowl with gravity and stops when float goes up or am I wrong.
I will give the bowl a wack and see if maybe that loosens the float.

 

Carbed bikes dont need fuel pumps. They do have a accelerator pump built into the carb

 

What type of carb is it? Year and model?

All carbed harleys are gravity fed. I would isolate the feed line, and give is some fuel from a separate source. This will let you know if the issue is in the carb or if the screen/petcot is the issue. If it is the carb, most S&S and Mikuni Carbs have millions of videos on you tube and an infinite number of gasket, jet, and float rebuilt kits.

 

Reality? Carbs need to rebuilt and re-tuned (re-jetted) eventually.

Especially today, with most fuel containing Ethanol.

Luckily it is not a costly process.

 

I gave it fuel from seperate source same deal unless I forced it into the carb by a primer bulb like I stated. If i push the fuel into the carbs till the fuel starts to seep out of the carb it start and runs perfect, idle and wot. But shuts off after a few minutes because the fuel runs out.
So the feed line is not an issue. I also changed all the fuel lines to make sure they were not bad.

sportster 1200 1996 I believe

 

Is ethonol really that bad for these bikes.
I use almost 100% ethanol in my car for years. Runs alot better and cleaner
and I use 10% ethonol in my boat for years. I think 10% is pretty much the norm nowdays

 

Have you checked/replaced the vacuum line that runs from the carb to the backside of the petcock?

 

Carbed Harleys don`t have fuel pumps, but some carbed bikes do.

I think cHarley is on the right track...

Is there fuel being supplied to the carburetor?